Partition devices for filing cabinets and the like



Dec. 27. 1955 G. DRIVER 2,728,482

PARTITION DEVICES FOR FILING CABINETS AND THE LIKE Filed July 18, 1952 46 JNVENTOR.

GEORGE DRIVER AFTER VF) United States PatetitO PARTITION DEVICES FOR FILING CABINETS AND THE LIKE George Driver, New York, N. Y.

Application July 18, 1952, Serial No. 299,573

2 Claims. (Cl. 220-22) This invention relates to filing systems-and filing drawers and particularly to improvements in partition devices for properly positioning cards, folders and other contents of filing cabinet drawers.

Attempts have been made to construct devices for retaining filing folders in position in filing cabinets. Such devices are desirably so that files may be retained in an upright position so that they are readily accessible. Difficulties usually arise when a group of files falls into a horizontal position and thus makes it awkward for a clerk to search either a fallen file or another file whose position is necessarily adversely affected.

Most solutions to this problem are complicated mechanical devices comprising many parts of metal which necessarily makes them expensive. In addition to being expensive, such devices are complicated, require many operations for assembling them and are fragile and easily put out of commission.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provide a filing cabinet positioning device which is simple in structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object is to provide such a device which comprises few parts and is adjustable.

Another object is to provide such a device of one-piece construction.

In general, the objects and purposes of this invention are achieved by providing a device which has two longitudinal arms and a transverse member interconnecting the longitudinal arms. The two arms retain the device in position in the cabinet and the transverse member aids in positioning the files themselves.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Figure 1 represents a plan view of the partitioning device of the invention positioned in a filing cabinet drawer;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the partitioning device of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of the in- 'vention;

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are perspective views of other embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a side view of one embodiment of a portion of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view along the line 88 in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a plan View illustrating'a modification of the invention wherein the partitioning device is U-shaped but adapted to be returned to the shape shown in Fig. l, as

is indicated in dot-dash lines.

The broad aspects and principles of my invention are shown in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein a plurality of file position- 2,728,482 Patented Dec. 27, 1955 the filing cabinet drawer 13, and thus maintain the device correctly disposed within the drawer.

A cross piece 19 is connected between the arms 17 and is integrally constructed therewith. The piece 19 is thus positioned across the filing cabinet drawer generally parallel to the files or cards positioned within the drawer.

The unitary member which comprises the arms 17 and cross piece 19 may be fabricated of any light, pliable, yet firm material which is capable of being adjusted and yet is firm enough to retain its position within the drawer 13 and to keep the files or cards 15 upright and in the proper position for easy accessibility. An example of such a material is a plastic, a fiber board of some type or some other similar material.

In an alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 3, the onepiece positioner 21 is arranged to be adjusted in all three of its component parts. The arms 23 and the cross piece 25 are provided with one or more folds or pleats 27 which may be opened or closed as the necessity arises. Thus the positioner may be adjusted to extend the arms 23 to provide more support against drawer side walls. In addition the cross piece 25 may be extended or narrowed to fit the device with a smaller or narrower drawer.

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment in which folds 26 may also be provided along the height of the positioner so that the height may be raised. Thus the positioner may be accommodated to fit deep or shallow drawers.

In a further embodiment, shown in Fig. 5, pliable, yet firm, shape retaining reinforcements 28 are provided at suitable positions along the side arms 29 and cross piece 31 of a positioner 33. The reinforcements may be cut in rectangular bar form and are positioned with their long axes parallel to the length of the positioner. Such reinforcements may be made of sheet metal, metal strip (e. g. aluminum) or any other suitable material. It is intended to fold the parts of this embodiment in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 3. The reinforcements aid in folding the various parts and aid in retaining the folds in position once they have been formed.

A different shaped reinforcement 28 may be provided on the outer corners at the juncture of the side arms and the cross piece. The straight bar shape is given dependent legs with prongs at the ends thereof. This will give vertical as well as lateral support to the corners.

Similar reinforcements are provided in Fig. 6 in a positioner device 35. In this instance the rectangular reinforcements 37 are provided in the various portions of the device 35 with their long axes parallel to the height of the device. Thus the positioner 35 may be folded to decrease its height or its length and the reinforcements aid such folding.

Of course, the reinforcements may be combined and a single positioner may be provided with reinforcements disposed in each of the directions shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Thus the device may be adjusted along its length and along its height.

One suitable form of reinforcement is shown in Fig. 7

which, for example represents one of the reinforcements- 37 shown in the embodiment of Fig. 6. The reinforcement comprises a somewhat extended portion 39 and two shorter members or arms 41 projecting perpendicularly from the ends of the portion 39. Each of the members. 41 is provided with a pointed tip to facilitate attaching, the inserts to the positioner device. The ends of the arms.

are provided with safety bevels out to the pointed tips.

As shown in Fig. 8', the reinforcement 37 is utilized by forcingthepointed ends of the members 41 through the wall 43 of the positioner device. The portion 39 is pressed flush against the wall 43 and then the arms 41 are bent flush against the-wall 43 onthe other side thereof. The sharp pointed tip is thus forced against the Wall and thereis nodanger of a person being pierced thereby.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9, the side arms 44 and 45 extend longitudinally and parallel to each other and are integrally connected with a cross piece 46, but the entire device is U-shaped. Preferably, the side arms are hingedly connected to the cross piece by the material itself so that they may be bent in either direction to form' either the shape of Fig. 2 or that of Fig. 9; A locking means is provided by having rigid angled reinforcements 47 at the corners. Angle inserts 4-7 have bendable endportions 48 for piercing and bending over the cross piece 46 and one of the side arms.

From the foregoing discussion it is apparent that the invention provides a novel filing aid in the form of afile or card positioner. The positioner has the advantages of one-piece construction, such as case and inexpensiveness of manufacture, and facility of handling in use,

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is tobe understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A file supporting positioner comprising a pair of parallelarms, a cross-piece joining saidarms, reinforcement.

bars secured on said positioner with their long axes parallel to the length of the positioner, certain of said reinforcement bars being secured at the point where the crosspiece joins one of the parallel arms, and reinforcement bars secured at the outer corner at the juncture of one of the parallel arms andthe cross-piece, the ends of said latterbarshauingdepending legs to provide vertical; as well as lateral support to the corner.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said depending legs terminate in prongs at theends thereof to pierce and engage-said positioner.

References Gited in the file-of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 121,256 Cohn Nov. 21, 1871 769,915 Strand Sept. 13, 1904 996,967 Bradley July 4, 1911 1,063,628 Ware June 3, 1913 1,158,130 Hawkins Oct. 26, 1915 1,486,513 Craig Mar. 11, 1924 1,789,699 Durham Jan. 20, 1931 1,815,565 Hill July 21., 1931 1,944,977 Hamilton Jan. 30, 1934 2,188,732 Vogt Jan. 30, 1940 2,268,236 Baird Dec. 30, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 14,053 Great Britain of 1905 

